Sadiq Khan marked a decade in office as mayor of London this month, reflecting on his tenure amid significant political and social upheavals both nationally and globally. Since his initial election in 2016, Khan has overseen the city through events ranging from Brexit and multiple British prime ministers to high-profile terror attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.

Khan, the son of a south London bus driver and London’s first Muslim mayor, has held the position longer than his predecessors Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. He has secured three terms as mayor, most recently defeating a Conservative challenger with relative ease.

Describing himself as a “coalition builder,” Khan emphasized the importance of uniting diverse political groups across the city. He credited his electoral success to a broad alliance including "Tory remainers, Greens, Lib Dems, and Labour supporters," and stressed that varied political affiliations should not divide those committed to the city’s future. “If we have a similar north star... let’s work together because we love this city,” he said.

Khan’s tenure has not been without controversy. He has faced sustained racist and Islamophobic abuse, notably from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused him of poor leadership and suggested London was veering towards sharia law at a 2025 United Nations assembly. Khan condemned these remarks as “racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic” and described London’s diversity and plurality as a direct counterpoint to such views. He acknowledged the personal toll such attacks have had on him, his family, and his team.

Environmental initiatives have been a cornerstone of Khan’s mayoralty. Early in his first term, he pledged to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez), increase green spaces, enhance cycling infrastructure, and transition public transportation to electric vehicles. Over the past decade, the Ulez has grown to cover the entire Greater London area, removing many of the city’s most polluting vehicles from the roads.

Khan’s administration has funded the planting of approximately 640,000 new trees and expanded the cycling network more than fourfold. Electric buses now operate widely across the capital, while the city’s pension fund has been largely divested from fossil fuels. Oxford Street is set to be fully pedestrianized by the end of this summer, a project expected to further reduce pollution and support sustainable transport. Additionally, efforts to reintroduce species such as beavers and otters to London’s waterways reflect a broader push towards rewilding and urban biodiversity.

The implementation of a 20mph speed limit has also been credited with cutting emissions and preventing an estimated 250 road fatalities. Khan has highlighted these environmental accomplishments, saying London has become “a greener, safer, fairer city.”

Experts generally recognize Khan’s environmental policies as transformative, citing measurable improvements in air quality and urban sustainability. Comparisons have been drawn to other progressive city leaders such as Paris’s Anne Hidalgo and New York’s Zohran Mamdani, who have similarly prioritized inclusive and environmentally-focused agendas.

As Khan concludes his tenth year as mayor, he presents London as “a case study in hope,” a diverse and resilient metropolis navigating ongoing political and social challenges with an emphasis on cooperation and sustainability.